Arriva London’s route 59 converts to New Routemasters

(Image supplied courtesy of Colin Stannard)

This week, Arriva London’s route 59 buses have started their conversion to New Routemasters.

On Tuesday, ten were brought into service on the route which runs from Streatham Hill to Kings Cross. The buses are based at Arriva London’s Brixton garage and when the conversion is complete, at the end of the first week in April, there will be 29 on the route.

Mark, one of the route 59 drivers said:-
“They’re really good to drive and I’m excited to have this opportunity. It’s a good day and I’m also looking forward to seeing the reaction of my passengers”.

This is the fifth Arriva London route to convert to New Routemasters and means that over fifteen percent of the Arriva London fleet are now running with these eco friendly vehicles. Arriva London was the operator of choice for the introduction of the New Routemasters on route 38 back in February 2012.

These state-of-the-art buses will carry 25,000 people on the route each week day. The buses will operate with the rear platform closed when the bus is moving, but will use all three sets of doors and two staircases at bus stops, allowing large numbers of passengers to quickly board and alight.

Patrick Sibley the Brixton General manager said:-
“We’re delighted to have new buses on route 59, with these and our route 137 buses it means that over half of Brixton’s fleet are now New Routemasters”.

If you’d like to be part of the Arriva London driving team and have the chance to drive one of Arriva’s New Routemaster buses then why not fill in an application form and get on board.

Arriva London is proud and delighted to have been awarded the TfL contract to operate route 333 running between Tooting Broadway and Elephant and Castle operating from Brixton bus garage in Streatham Hill.